If anyone’s giving out an NFL award for Disingenuous General Manager of the Year, the early front-runner is the Denver Broncos’ John Elway.

On Thursday, when asked if the Broncos would consider Colin Kaepernick if the team decides to sign a veteran backup quarterback, Elway said, “Colin had his chance to be here. We offered him a contract, he didn't take it.’’

That contract offer came in 2016, before Kaepernick famously began his protests during the national anthem.

Kaepernick, who has not played since the end of the 2016 season, has filed a collusion claim against the NFL that alleges his unemployment is a result of his social justice activism and protests, not his on-field skills. Elway, it turns out, was among the league executives to give a deposition, for which Kaepernick was present, earlier this year.

“I don't know if I'm legally able to say this," Elway said, “but he's had his chance to be here. He passed it."

Forget the legality. The real issue here is the stupidity — for Elway to think anyone should buy his explanation.

As USA TODAY Sports’ Lindsay H. Jones reported, the Broncos tried to trade for Kaepernick in 2016, shortly after Peyton Manning announced his retirement. But the Broncos wanted Kaepernick to accept a pay cut as part of the deal. Kaepernick declined and decided to stay with San Francisco for another season.

Somehow, Kaepernick’s very reasonable decision — to decline a pay cut — has disqualified him from getting a shot with the Broncos.

It would be foolish not to mention that Elway is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history, and he won Super Bowl rings in 1997 and 1998. He’s also proven to be an adept general manager and executive vice president of football operations. Without him the Broncos would not have won a third Super Bowl in 2015. But all of that and Elway’s bronze bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, was not enough to spare him embarrassment Thursday.

Elway's disingenuous comments regarding Kaepernick were as easy to spot as a football player kneeling during the national anthem.

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Arizona Cardinals: David Johnson. The running back missed all but the first game of last season, and his healthy return (while in a contract year) should be the difference in a revamped Cardinals offense. With a new head coach and starting quarterback, the Cardinals need Johnson to be a shoulder the load as a rusher and receiver. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan. Last season was a step back from Ryan’s MVP campaign in 2016, part of an adjustment to a new offensive coordinator (Steve Sarkisian) following Kyle Shanahan’s departure. The Falcons have a stacked roster, but need Ryan to be back at an elite level every week, which starts with reestablishing the red zone connection with receiver Julio Jones. Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens: Joe Flacco. With the arrival of first-round pick Lamar Jackson, Flacco is under pressure unlike he’s ever faced before in his career. Will he be able to revitalize the Ravens offense and give Baltimore reason to keep him after 2018? Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Buffalo Bills: Sean McDermott. McDermott deserved praise for leading the Bills to a playoff spot in his first year as a head coach. His job in 2018, however, might be even more difficult, as he will have to figure out who will be the Bills’ quarterback – Nathan Peterman, rookie first-round pick Josh Allen or former Bengals backup AJ McCarron – and then develop him into a legit NFL starter. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina Panthers: Norv Turner. The biggest question facing the Panthers is how well the new offensive coordinator will mesh with former MVP quarterback Cam Newton. Turner has been successful in running offenses in many places, but his scheme doesn’t seem to be a perfect fit for Newton’s style, and how quickly the two find synergy will determine how successful the Panthers offense can be. Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears: Matt Nagy. The Bears are clearly trying to follow the blueprint set by the Rams last year by pairing a rookie head coach with their second-year quarterback. Nagy brings innovated offensive ideas with him from Kansas City, but now he and quarterback Mitchell Trubisky must implement them quickly to become competitive in the NFC North. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bengals: Marvin Lewis. This was a tough choice, with Lewis, director of player personnel Duke Tobin and star receiver A.J. Green all receiving votes. But ultimately Lewis, one of the NFL’s longest-tenured head coaches, is under a unique spotlight after nearly being fired after last season. Tobin has led a roster overhaul in recent years, but it’s up to Lewis to get more out of the Bengals. Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Cleveland Browns: Hue Jackson. Another year of turnover in the Browns’ front office puts even more pressure on Jackson, who has coached the Browns to just one win in the two years since he was hired. The roster seems to be in a much better place in 2018 – especially at quarterback – so if the Browns don’t make a jump, that’s on Jackson. Ken Blaze, USA TODAY Sports

Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott. This was one of the most interesting teams, with Elliott just edging out quarterback Dak Prescott, while neither owner Jerry Jones nor head coach Jason Garrett received any votes. It’s a sign of just how much the Cowboys offense has changed in recent years, and how much Dallas will need to rely on Elliott’s on-field production and gamble on his off-field maturity improving as well. Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos: Case Keenum. The Broncos have gone all-in on Keenum as the starting quarterback. While they’ve been impressed with his leadership and steady play in training camp, he’ll need to perform in the regular season like he did during his surprising breakthrough season in Minnesota, or else John Elway could regret not taking a quarterback at No. 5 or making a stronger push for Kirk Cousins in the offseason. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions: Matthew Stafford. This was another close race, with Stafford getting the edge over new head coach Matt Patricia. The Lions won nine games last year, and with optimism that Patricia can improve the defense, it will be on Stafford, with a solid supporting cast around him on offense, to take the Lions back to the playoffs. Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers. This was a unanimous vote, as the former league MVP returns after missing nine games last year with a shoulder injury. Outside of Tom Brady, no quarterback means more to his team than Rodgers, who makes Green Bay a serious NFC contender. Jim Matthews, Green Bay Press-Gazette-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson. If there was any doubting Watson’s value, all you had to see was the tremendous dropoff in the Texans offense after Watson suffered a torn ACL midway through last year. Before his injury, Watson was leading the league’s highest-scoring offense, and the challenge for 2018 is to build off that rookie performance. Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Indianapolis Colts: Andrew Luck. It’s pretty simple - when Luck has been healthy, the Colts have been one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC. Much has changed in Indianapolis since the last time Luck played – a new general manager, a new head coach, a mostly new offensive line – but it’s clear who the Colts’ most important piece is, and he’s finally back on the field. Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville Jaguars: Tom Coughlin. The Jaguars made a significant leap in 2017, Tom Coughlin’s first running football operations, and now his finger prints are all over the roster. That includes the decision to bring back quarterback Blake Bortles, invest in the defense and add new offensive pieces. But Coughlin is also setting a strict tone for a team full of big personalities. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Kansas City Chiefs: Andy Reid. This was a difficult choice between head coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is taking over from Alex Smith as starting quarterback. Ultimately, it will be up to Reid to make sure Mahomes can be successful in his first year under center. The Chiefs have arguably the most exciting collection of offensive weapons, and Reid will have to call plays that can take advantage of Mahomes’ physical strengths while also accounting for the growing pains of a young quarterback. Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers: Philip Rivers. Even after another string of preseason injuries (to tight end Hunter Henry and cornerback Jason Verrett), this looks like the best Chargers team to surround Rivers in years. Still, the veteran quarterback is the most critical piece to getting the Chargers not just back atop the AFC West, but toward making a serious run deep into the playoffs. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay. The biggest question in Los Angeles is how McVay will follow up his brilliant rookie season as the Rams head coach, a year in which he took a dormant offense and turned it into the highest-scoring unit in the NFL. McVay must now oversee the continued development of former No. 1 overall pick quarterback Jared Goff while managing a complex set of characters on defense. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins. As the NFL’s first player to sign a fully guaranteed contract, Cousins will need to show that he can improve a team that made it to the NFC Championship Game last year. But he'll have to do so while playing behind an offensive line that is battling preseason injuries. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

New England Patriots: Bill Belichick. This could be the most challenging season for Belichick in years, as he is facing questions about his coaching decisions in the Patriots’ Super Bowl loss to the Eagles and dealing with plenty of roster and coaching staff turnover. Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

New Orleans Saints: Sean Payton. This was hardly a unanimous decision, with quarterback Drew Brees, running back Alvin Kamara and general manager Mickey Loomis also receiving votes. But head coach Sean Payton is the one common thread through all aspects of the roster and offensive play calling. And with Brees in the twilight of his career, Payton will need to find a way to maximize the current talent while Brees is still playing at a high level. Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

New York Giants: Saquon Barkley. It’s rare that a running back, and especially a rookie one, can transform a franchise, but the Giants are hoping that Barkley can do just that – much like Ezekiel Elliott did for the Cowboys two years ago. Barkley has the potential to take much of the burden off Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. If he doesn’t, don’t expect the media to take it easy on the Giants after they passed up taking a quarterback. Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

New York Jets: Sam Darnold. Sure, Darnold hasn’t won the starting job yet, but the Jets desperately need him to become the leader of their offense. You could also make an argument for Todd Bowles and offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates in their role in accelerating Darnold’s development and managing a complex quarterback room with veterans Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Oakland Raiders: Jon Gruden. In his first year back on the sideline after nearly a decade in the broadcast booth, Gruden will face a unique form of scrutiny. Among the biggest questions facing Gruden this year: What will his new offense look like? Will he be able to return quarterback Derek Carr to Pro Bowl form? And how will he handle the lingering holdout of his best defensive player Khalil Mack? Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz. You could make a case that the Eagles’ team of doctors might be their most valuable employees, with quarterback Carson Wentz, left tackle Jason Peters and running back Darren Sproles among the important players returning from season-ending injuries. Yet Wentz deserves the nod because of the leap he took into the MVP conversation last year before his injury. Suchat Pederson, The News Journal-USA TODAY NETWO

Pittsburgh Steelers: Randy Fichtner. The Steelers’ most valuable person was one of the most interesting debates, with so many important offensive players like running back Le’Veon Bell, wide receiver Antonio Brown and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger likely playing their final season together. That’s why the nod goes to Fichtner, the longtime assistant coach who will now run the offense. He’s moving into that role with Bell holding out and while Brown and guard Ramon Foster among those nursing injuries. Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

San Francisco 49ers: Jimmy Garoppolo. Garoppolo hasn’t lost a game as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Given that and his five-year, $137.5 million contract, the former Patriots backup might be placing unrealistic expectations for his first full season as a No. 1 Yet after all the Niners have invested in him, there is no question that Garoppolo is the most important person to watch in Santa Clara. Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Seattle Seahawks: Pete Carroll. With the departure of so many familiar names on defense (and the preseason absence of another, safety Earl Thomas), head coach Pete Carroll is rebuilding the Seahawks. We’ll soon learn if former Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman was right that the Seahawks had “lost their way.” Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston. The former No. 1 overall pick will be suspended for the first three games as punishment for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, but he remains the most important player for the Bucs this season as he works to show that his coaches can trust him both on and off the field. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota. With a new head coach (Mike Vrabel) and more stability at running back (with starter Derrick Henry and third-down back Dion Lewis), now is the time for Mariota to take a major step forward. Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODA

Washington Redskins: Alex Smith. The veteran passer is getting his shot with a third NFL team, but will he finally get respect? The Redskins seem excited about Smith’s leadership and locker room demeanor, and his running ability gives head coach Jay Gruden the chance to expand his attack. Now it’s up to Smith, who doesn’t have quite the caliber of weapons around him in Washington as he did in Kansas City, to capitalize on the opportunity. Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports